Free Play’s 4th Spring Series celebrates classic arcade culture

Arlington’s Free Play Arcade is bringing arcade culture back to the modern FGC with four main events, four side tournaments, and authentic cabinet setups.

The fourth Spring Series is set to kick off at Free Play Arcade in Arlington, Texas, from April 12 – 14. These three days of competition will see eight events in total, all featuring classic games from the arcades’ golden age.

Main events include such titles as The King of Fighters XI with a $1,000 pot bonus, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 with a $1,000 pot bonus, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike with a $1,500 pot bonus — and finally, Super Street Fighter II Turbo with a whopping $10,000 pot bonus.

That’s not all: Free Play Arcade is also flying out five Japanese legends to take part in the competition… although the players in question have yet to be announced.

It is worth noting that the 3rd Strike tournament takes place on the recently-unveiled 20th anniversary Jazzy Circuit; for players participating in the series, this could be a prime opportunity to win a qualifying title and score some points!

Spring Series Four is the last in a series of satellite tournaments, with the first taking place at the hallowed grounds of NLBC on February 9, and the second throwing down at Don’s Arcade in Los Angeles on February 16.

Arlington isn’t just home to the Free Play Arcade, either. The city likewise unveiled its Esports Stadium in November of 2018, breathing life into Texas’s already bustling competitive gaming scene. Players looking to give the town a tour can register on the Spring Series’ website, or enter one of the two satellite tournaments for a chance at winning room and travel to the main event on April 12.